JP3901931B2

JP3901931B2 - Multidirectional input device and method of manufacturing the multidirectional input device

Info

Publication number: JP3901931B2
Application number: JP2000311728A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 尚登下村
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-10-05
Filing date: 2000-10-05
Publication date: 2007-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-05
Also published as: JP2002117749A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ゲーム機等の電子機器に使用して好適な多方向入力装置、及びその多方向入力装置の製造方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のジョイスティック型の多方向入力装置の構成を図１８に基づいて説明すると、金属板が折り曲げられて形成された筺体３１は、大きな孔３１ａを有する上面板３１ｂと、この上面板３１ｂの四方から下方に折り曲げされた側面板３１ｃとを有する。
【０００３】
回転型の可変抵抗器からなる複数の電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂは、箱形のケース３３と、このケース３３の開放部に取り付けられ、抵抗体（図示せず）を設けた絶縁基板３４と、この絶縁基板３４に回転可能に取り付けられ、抵抗体上を摺動する摺動子（図示せず）を取り付けた回転体３５とで構成されて、それぞれが単体の電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂとして形成されている。
そして、隣り合う側面板３１ｃにケース３３を取り付けて、２個の電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂが互いに直角状態に取り付けられている。
【０００４】
第１，第２連動部材３６，３７は、中央部にスリット３６ａ、３７ａを有し、この第１，第２連動部材３６、３７は、互いに十字状になるように配置された状態で、筺体３１の対向する側面板３１ｃ間に回転可能に取り付けられている。
即ち、第１連動部材３６の両端部は、側面板３１ｃの対向する孔３１ｄに嵌合されると共に、その一端部が一つの電気部品３２ａの回転体３５と係合し、また、第２連動部材３７の両端部は、側面板３１ｃの対向する孔３１ｅに嵌合されると共に、その一端部がもう一つの電気部品３２ｂの回転体３５と係合している。そして、第１，第２連動部材３６，３７が同時、或いは単独に回転した時、回転体３５も回転し、これによって、摺動子が抵抗体上を摺動して、抵抗値を可変し、電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂが操作されるようになっている。
【０００５】
孔３８ａを有する操作体３８は、第１，第２連動部材３６，３７のスリット３６ａ、３７ａに挿通され、第２連動部材３７に設けた孔３７ｂと操作体３８の孔３８ａに挿通された止め棒３９によって、第２連動部材３７に回動可能に取り付けられると共に、操作体３８の上部は、孔３１ａから上方に突出して、先端部には摘み４０が取り付けられている。
【０００６】
そして、操作体３８がスリット３７ａに沿って矢印Ｘ方向に回転（傾倒）した時、操作体３８は、第１連動部材３６を押圧して、第１連動部材３６を回転して電気部品３２ａを操作し、また、操作体３８がスリット３６ａに沿って矢印Ｙ方向に回転（傾倒）した時、操作体３８は、第２連動部材３７を押圧して、第２連動部材３７を回転して電気部品３２ｂを操作し、更に、操作体３８が矢印Ｘ方向と矢印Ｙ方向の間で回転（傾倒）した時、操作体３８は、第１、第２連動部材３６、３７を押圧して、第１、第２連動部材３６、３７を回転して電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂを同時に操作するようになっている。
【０００７】
金属板からなる底板４１は、中部に設けられた筒状の膨出部４１ａを有し、この底板４１は、筺体３１の下部の開放部を塞ぐように、筺体３１の下部に取り付けられている。
第１可動部材４２は、筒状の膨出部４１ａに挿入されて上下方向に移動可能にガイドされ、底壁４２ａを有する筒状部４２ｂと、筒状部４２ｂの上端に設けられた鍔部４２ｃとを有し、また、合成樹脂からなる第２可動部材４３は、底壁４３ａを有する筒状部４３ｂを有し、その中央部が操作体３８の下端に固着されている。
【０００８】
そして、第１可動部材４２の筒状部４２ｂ内に、第２可動部材４３を位置した状態で、第１，第２可動部材４２，４３が筺体３１内に配置されると共に、底板４１と第１可動部材４２の鍔部４２ｃ間には、コイルバネ４４を介在させ、このコイルバネ４４によって、第１，第２可動部材４２，４３を上方に弾圧している。
【０００９】
この構成によって、第１可動部材４２は、コイルバネ４４によって、常に水平状態を維持するようになっているため、第１可動部材４２の底壁４２ａ上に、底壁４３ａが載置された第２可動部材４３も水平状態を維持するようになっており、操作体３８の中立位置となっている。
そして、操作体３８を回転（傾倒）した時、第２可動部材４３は水平状態が崩れて、傾いた状態となり、第１可動部材４２をコイルバネ４４に抗して下方に移動させる。
【００１０】
また、操作体３８の傾倒動作を解除すると、コイルバネ４４によって、第１可動部材４２が第２可動部材４３を押圧し、第２可動部材４３が水平状態に戻るようになると共に、この動作で、操作体３８も直立状態に戻されるようになっている。
即ち、第１，第２可動部材４２，４３とコイルバネ４４によって、操作体３８の自動復帰を行わしめるための復帰手段が形成されている。
【００１１】
このような構成を有する従来の多方向入力装置の動作を説明すると、先ず、摘み４０を摘んで操作体３８を傾倒させると、操作体３８は止め棒３９を支点として傾倒し、その結果、操作体３８が第１連動部材３６，又は／及び第２連動部材３７を押圧して、これを回転させる。
すると、第１，第２連動部材３６，３７がそれぞれ電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂの回転体３５を回転させて、電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂを操作する。
【００１２】
また、操作体３８の傾倒動作によって、第２可動部材４３が傾いた状態となり、これに伴って、第１可動部材４２がコイルバネ４４を撓めつつ下方に移動する。
次に、操作体３８への傾倒動作を解除すると、コイルバネ４４によって、第２可動部材４３が水平状態に戻るようになると共に、この動作で、操作体３８も直立状態の元の状態に戻される。
このようにして、従来の多方向入力装置の動作が行われるものである。
【００１３】
次に、従来の多方向入力装置の製造方法を説明すると、先ず、打ち抜き加工と折り曲げ加工によって金属板から筺体３１を製造する。
また、これと別工程において、電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂ用のケース３３，抵抗体を設けた絶縁基板３４等の部品を製造した後、これ等を組み立てて電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂを製造する。
次に、これ等の電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂのそれぞれのケース３３が筺体３１の異なる側面板３１ｃに取り付けられて、２個の電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂの取付が完了する。
【００１４】
次に、筺体３１には、順次、第１連動部材３６，操作体３８を取り付けた第２連動部材３７が取り付けられ、そして、第１，第２可動部材４２，４３とコイルバネ４４を筺体３１内に収納した後、最後に、底板４１が筺体３１に取り付けられて、その製造が完了する。
【００１５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の多方向入力装置、及びその製造方法においては、筺体３１，底板４１，及び電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂの絶縁基板３４が別部品で形成されているため、部品点数が多くなると共に、別工程で製造され、従って、その組立作業が面倒となり、生産性が悪く、コスト高になるという問題がある。
【００１６】
そこで、本発明は生産性が良く、安価な多方向入力装置、及びその多方向入力装置の製造方法を提供することを目的とする。
【００１７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するための第１の解決手段として、多方向への操作が可能な操作体と、この操作体の周囲に配設され、前記操作体によって操作される複数の電気部品と、前記操作体の下部に設けられた合成樹脂製の絶縁基体とを備え、前記電気部品は、表面に抵抗体を設けた合成樹脂製の複数の絶縁基板を有し、この複数の絶縁基板と前記絶縁基体は、埋設された金属体により連結され、前記金属体を折り曲げて、前記絶縁基体の外周部には、前記絶縁基板が前記絶縁基体に対して前記抵抗体の面を垂直状態にして配置された構成とした。
【００１８】
また、第２の解決手段として、前記絶縁基板のそれぞれは、複数の前記金属体で前記絶縁基体に連結され、これ等の前記金属体が前記抵抗体に電気的に接続され、前記金属体の折り曲げ部分を前記絶縁基体から外方に突出させて、前記金属体を前記抵抗体の端子とした構成とした。
また、第３の解決手段として、前記絶縁基体から外方に突出した前記金属体の折り曲げ部分が互いに重なるように折り曲げられた構成とした。
【００１９】
また、第４の解決手段として、前記複数の絶縁基板と前記絶縁基体とが凹凸嵌合された状態で、前記絶縁基板が前記絶縁基体に対して垂直状態に配置された構成とした。
また、第５の解決手段として、前記絶縁基体の外周部には凹部が設けられると共に、前記絶縁基板の側部には凸部が設けられ、前記凹部に前記凸部を嵌合させて前記凹凸嵌合した構成とした。
また、第６の解決手段として、前記絶縁基体の一辺の中央部で前記凹凸嵌合し、この凹凸嵌合の両側に前記金属体を位置させた構成とした。
【００２０】
また、第７の解決手段として、合成樹脂製の絶縁基体、及びこの絶縁基体の周囲に配置された合成樹脂製の複数の絶縁基板とがインサート成型された金属材からなる金属体によって連結され、前記絶縁基板の表面に、電気部品の一部を構成する抵抗体を形成した後、前記金属体を折り曲げて、前記絶縁基体の外周部において、前記絶縁基体に対して前記抵抗体の面が垂直状態になるように前記絶縁基板を配置した製造方法とした。
また、第８の解決手段として、前記絶縁基板のそれぞれは、前記抵抗体に電気的に接続された複数の前記金属体で前記絶縁基体に連結され、前記金属体の折り曲げ部分を前記絶縁基体から外方に突出させて、前記金属体を前記抵抗体の端子とした製造方法とした。
また、第９の解決手段として、前記複数の絶縁基板と前記絶縁基体とは、前記絶縁基板が前記絶縁基体に対して垂直状態になるように凹凸嵌合された製造方法とした。
【００２１】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の多方向入力装置、及び多方向入力装置の製造方法の図面を説明すると、図１〜図１３は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係り、図１は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例の拡大断面図、図２は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係り、筺体を取り除いた状態を示す平面図、図３は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例の要部の拡大断面図、図４は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る製造方法を示す説明図、図５は図４の５−５線における断面図である。
【００２２】
また、図６は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る作動体の平面図、図７は図６の７−７線における断面図、図８は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る駆動体の平面図、図９は図８の９−９線における断面図、図１０は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る操作体の平面図、図１１は図１０の１１−１１線における断面図、図１２は本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る筺体の平面図、図１３は図１２の１３−１３線における断面図である。
【００２３】
次に、本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例の構成を図１〜図１３に基づいて説明すると、合成樹脂の成型品からなる絶縁基体１は、特に図４，図５に示すように、四角形状の平板状をなし、外周部の各辺の中央部に設けられた４個の凹部１ａと、中央部に設けられた円弧状の一対の突壁１ｂとを有する。
金属板からなる第１，第２固定接点２，３は、インサート成型によって絶縁基体１に埋設されて取り付けられている。
【００２４】
そして、第１固定接点２は、突壁１ｂ内の中央部において接点部２ａが露出すると共に、端子部２ｂが絶縁基体１の外周部から突出し、また、第２固定接点３は、突壁１ｂ内において、接点部２ａを囲んだ状態で接点部３ａが露出すると共に、端子部３ｂが絶縁基体１の外周部から突出している。
【００２５】
また、この突壁１ｂ内には、図１に示すように、金属バネ板からなるドーム状の可動接点４が配置されている。
そして、この可動接点４は、周縁部の下端が常時、接点部３ａに接触すると共に、中央部が接点部２ａと対向した状態にあり、可動接点４の中央部が押されると、中央部がクリック感を持って反転して接点部２ａに接触し、第１，第２固定接点２，３がＯＮ状態となり、また、可動接点４の押圧が解除されると、可動接点４が自己復帰して第１，第２固定接点２，３間がＯＦＦ状態となる。
このように、第１，第２固定接点２，３と可動接点４とでプッシュスイッチＰが形成されている。
【００２６】
合成樹脂の成型品からなる絶縁基板５は、特に図４，図５に示すように、矩形状をなす基部５ａと、基部５ａの一側部の中央部から突出する凹部５ｃを有する凸部５ｂとを有する。
また、この絶縁基板５は、絶縁基体１の４辺にそれぞれ位置すると共に、絶縁基板５と絶縁基体１とにインサート成型により埋設された金属材である金属板からなる一対の金属体６により、それぞれの絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に連結されている。
【００２７】
そして、この絶縁基板５に埋設された一対の金属体６の一端は、絶縁基板５の表面から露出した状態となっており、この絶縁基板５の表面に抵抗体７が塗布、或いは吹き付け等の方法により形成されて、抵抗体７の両端側がそれぞれ金属体６の一端に接触した状態となっている。
【００２８】
このような構成を有する絶縁基板５は、外側に突出するように金属体６を折り曲げて、凸部５ｂを凹部１ａにはめ合わせて、凹凸嵌合させると共に、基部５ａの側部を絶縁基体１の表面に載置して、抵抗体７の面が絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態になるように、絶縁基板５を絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態に取り付ける。
そして、絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態に取り付けられた際、抵抗体７の面は、絶縁基体１の中央部方向に向いた状態になると共に、折り曲げられた金属体６は、抵抗体７の端子としての役目をなしている。
この時、絶縁基体１から外方に突出した金属体６の折り曲げ部分は、互いに重なるように折り曲げられていると共に、この金属体６は、中央部に位置する凹凸嵌合の両側に配置されている。
【００２９】
このような状態で、四つの絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に対して四角状に配置されており、この時、隣り合う絶縁基板５間の絶縁基体１の隅部には、空間部１ｃ（図４参照）が存在したものとなっている。
なお、この実施例では、四つの絶縁基板５を四角状に配置したもので説明したが、二つの絶縁基板５を直角状に配置したものでも良い。
また、絶縁基体１を八角形状とし、絶縁基板５を八角状に配置しても良い。
【００３０】
次に、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５の製造方法を図４，図５に基づいて説明すると、絶縁基体１には、１枚の金属板を所定の形状に折り曲げ、或いは打ち抜いた第１，第２固定接点２，３、及び金属体６の一部がインサート成型され、また、四つの絶縁基板５には、金属体６の一部がインサート成型されて、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５とが同時に成型加工される。
【００３１】
そして、成型加工された四つの絶縁基板５は、それぞれが一対の金属体６によって、絶縁基体１から離れた状態で絶縁基体１に連結された状態となっている。
次に、絶縁基板５の表面に、塗布等の方法によって抵抗体７を形成した後、外側に突出するように金属体６を折り曲げて、凸部５ｂを凹部１ａにはめ合わせると共に、基部５ａの側部を絶縁基体１の表面に載置して、抵抗体７の面が絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態になるように、絶縁基板５を絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態に取り付けると、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５の製造が完了する。
【００３２】
絶縁性のゴム材からなる作動体８は、特に図６，図７に示すように、中央部に矩形状の孔８ａを有する四角状のリング状部８ｂと、このリング状部８ｂの四方から放射状に延びる４個の脚部８ｃとを有する。
また、導電ゴム材からなる可動接触部９は、作動体８の脚部８ｃ間に位置するリング状部８ｂの外周部に配設されている。
この可動接触部９は、作動体８を成型加工する際に、同時に成型加工されて、作動体８と一体化されており、本実施例では両者の材質が同一のもので形成されている。
なお、可動接点部９は、金属板等の導電体で形成しても良い。
【００３３】
そして、この作動体８は、図２に示すように、リング状部８ｂよりも厚みの大きな脚部８ｃが絶縁基体１の空間部１ｃに載置され、リング状部８ｂが絶縁基体１から若干離れた状態で取り付けられる。
この時、可動接触部９は、抵抗体７と僅かに離れた状態で対向した状態になると共に、孔８ａは、絶縁基体１の中央部に位置して、孔８ａから第１，第２固定接点２，３と突壁１ｂが露出した状態となっている。
【００３４】
合成樹脂の成型品等からなる駆動体１０は、特に図８，図９に示すように、平板で矩形状の基部１０ａと、基部１０ａの中央部から上方に突出する凸部１０ｂと、基部１０ａの中央部に設けられた小判型の孔１０ｃと、凸部１０ｂの中央部に設けられ、孔１０ｃに連通する円形の孔１０ｄとを有する。
そして、この駆動体１０は、作動体８の孔８ａ内に基部１０ａがはめ合わされると共に、基部１０ａの下面が突壁１ｂ上に当接した状態で配置されている。
【００３５】
この駆動体１０は、多方向にスライド可能となっており、図２に示すように、矢印Ａ１方向にスライド移動させた時、リング状部８ｂから放射状に延びる脚部８ｃ、及び矢印Ａ１方向に延びるリング状部８ｂの桟部を変形させて、可動接触部９を抵抗体７に押し付けるようになる。
そして、この駆動体１０のスライドの移動量によって、可動接触部９は、抵抗体７に対して接触面積が変化し、その結果、端子である一対の金属体６間の抵抗値が可変されるようになる。
また、駆動体１０のスライド動作を解除すると、作動体８の脚部８ｃと矢印Ａ１方向に位置するリング状部８ｂの自己の弾性によって、駆動体１０が移動前の状態に復帰すると共に、可動接触部９も抵抗体７と非接触状態の移動前の状態に戻される。
【００３６】
また、矢印Ａ２、Ａ３，Ａ４方向に駆動体１０をスライドされた時も、上記と同様に原理により、それぞれ単一の抵抗体７の抵抗値が可変されるようになっている。
このように、１個の抵抗体７と１個の可動接触部９とで、１個の可変抵抗器からなる電気部品Ｄが構成され、この実施例では４個の電気部品Ｄが形成されたものとなっている。
【００３７】
また、隣り合う絶縁基板５間方向である斜め方向に駆動体１０をスライドさせると、二つの可動接触部９がそれぞれの抵抗体７に押しつけれらるようになって、その結果、二つの抵抗体７に対する接触面積が同時に可変して、二つの電気部品Ｄが操作されるようなる。
【００３８】
合成樹脂の成型品等からなる操作体１１は、特に図１０，図１１に示すように、円柱状の軸部１１ａと、軸部１１ａの下部に設けられた小判型の非円形状の鍔部１１ｂと、下端部に設けられた凸部１１ｃとを有する。
そして、この操作体１１は、駆動体１０の下方から孔１０ｃ、１０ｄに挿通されて、図１に示すように、軸部１１ａが孔１０ｄから上方に突出すると共に、鍔部１１ｂが孔１０ｃ内に位置して、係止された状態で、上下動可能であるが回転不能に駆動体１０に取り付けられている。
この操作体１１と、駆動体１０、及び作動体８とによって、可動接触部９を駆動するための操作部材Ｓが構成されている。
【００３９】
また、この操作体１１が取り付けられた際、この操作体１１の下部に絶縁基体１が配置されると共に、下部の凸部１１ｃが可動接点４の中央部に当接し、可動接点４のバネ性により、操作体１１が上方に弾圧されて、鍔部１１ｂが駆動体１０に弾接された状態となっている。
そして、操作体１１を下方に押圧すると、可動接点４が押されて反転し、プッシュスイッチＰが操作されると共に、操作体１１の押圧動作を解除すると、可動接点４のバネ性により、操作体１１が元の位置に戻されるようになる。
更に、軸部１１ａを摘んで、操作体１１を横方向へスライドすると、操作体１１で駆動体１０をスライド移動するようになっている。
【００４０】
金属板を折り曲げ加工する等して形成された矩形状の筺体１２は、特に図１２，図１３に示すように、矩形状の上面板１２ａと、この上面板１２ａの中央部に設けられた円形の孔１２ｂと、上面板１２ａの四方から下方に折り曲げて形成された側面板１２ｃと、この側面板１２ｃの下端から外方に折り曲げて形成され、プリント基板（図示せず）への取付部となる複数の取付片１２ｄと、側面板１２ｃの下辺の中間部に位置し、この側面板１２ｃの下端から下方に延びて形成された取付部１２ｅとを有する。
【００４１】
そして、この筺体１２内には、絶縁基板５，作動体８，及び駆動体１０を収納した状態で、取付部１２ｅを前記凸部５ｂに設けた凹部５ｃ内に位置した状態で、絶縁基体１の下面側に折り曲げして、それらが一体的に組み合わされている。
このように筺体１２が取り付けられた際、孔１２ｂから駆動体１０の凸部１０ｂと操作体１１の軸部１１ａが突出すると共に、駆動体１０の基部１０ａが上面板１２ａと突壁１ｂとの間で挟持されて、この間で、駆動体１０のスライド移動時のガイドが構成されている。
【００４２】
また、脚部８ｃの先端部は四角形であり、隣接する絶縁基板５の端面の間に挟まれて、平面方向の移動が規制され、更に、筺体１２が取り付けられると、厚みの大きな脚部８ｃの先端部が上面板１２ａによって絶縁基体１に押し付けられて支持され、この支持によって脚部８ｃの先端部の動きを防いで、リング状部８ｂの桟部、及び脚部８ｃの変形を容易にして、中立位置への自動復帰を容易にすると共に、可動接触部９が上面板１２ａと絶縁基体１とに接触しない状態で配置されており、更に、抵抗体７は、操作体１１の軸線Ｇと対向した状態となっている。
【００４３】
次に、上記のような構成を有する本発明の多方向入力装置の動作を説明すると、先ず、操作体１１を、例えば、矢印Ａ１方向に横方向にスライドさせると、この操作体１１に伴って駆動体１０がスライド移動して、リング状部８ｂの桟部を押圧し、移動方向に沿って形成されたリング状部８ｂの桟部、及び脚部８ｃを変形させる。
すると、可動接触部９が抵抗体７に押し付けられ、この駆動体１０のスライドの移動量によって、可動接触部９は、抵抗体７に対して接触面積が変化し、その結果、端子である一対の金属体６間の抵抗値が可変されるようになる。
また、操作体１１のスライド動作を解除すると、作動体８の自己の弾性によって、駆動体１０、及び操作体１１が移動前の状態に復帰すると共に、可動接触部９も抵抗体７と非接触状態の移動前の状態に戻される。
【００４４】
次に、隣り合う絶縁基板５間方向である斜め方向に操作体１１をスライドさせると、駆動体１０を介して移動方向と反対側に位置する隣り合う二つのリング状部８ｂの桟部と脚部８ｃが同時に変形して、二つの可動接触部９がそれぞれの抵抗体７に押しつけれらるようになって、その結果、二つの抵抗体７に対する接触面積が同時に可変して、二つの電気部品Ｄが操作されるようなる。
また、操作体１１のスライド動作を解除すると、前述と同様に、作動体８の自己の弾性によって、駆動体１０、及び操作体１１が移動前の状態に復帰すると共に、二つの可動接触部９も抵抗体７と非接触状態の移動前の状態に戻される。
【００４５】
次に、操作体１１を下方向に押圧すると、操作体１１は駆動体１０にガイドされて下方に移動し、可動接点４が押されて反転し、プッシュスイッチＰが操作されて、ＯＮ状態になり、また、操作体１１の押圧動作を解除すると、可動接点４のバネ性により、操作体１１が元の位置に戻されると共に、プッシュスイッチＰがＯＦＦ状態となる。
このようにして、本発明の多方向入力装置の操作が行われるものである。
【００４６】
なお、前記実施例では、操作部材Ｓが作動体８，駆動体１０，及び操作体１１のそれぞれが別部品で形成されたもので説明したが、これ等の三つの部品をゴム材によって一体的に形成して操作部材Ｓを構成して、この操作部材Ｓによって、横方向のスライド動作と、上下方向の動作とを行うようにしても良い。
また、上記実施例においては、可動接触部９と作動体８を、一つの材料により同時に形成したが、可動接触部９と導電ゴムで形成し、作動体８を絶縁ゴムで形成しても良い。
【００４７】
更には、上記実施例においては、絶縁基体１上にプッシュスイッチＰを設けたもので説明したが、単品からなるプッシュスイッチＰを使用しても良く、更に、このプッシュスイッチＰは、必要に応じて無くしても良い。
【００４８】
また、図１４〜図１７は、本発明の多方向入力装置、及びその多方向入力装置の製造方法の第２実施例を示し、図１４は本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例の斜視図、図１５は本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例に係り、その構成と動作を示す要部断面図、図１６は本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例に係る製造法を示す説明図、図１７は本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例に係る製造法を示す説明図である。
【００４９】
次に、本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例の構成を図１４〜図１７に基づいて説明すると、この第２実施例は、従来と同形のジョイスティック型の多方向入力装置であって、合成樹脂の成型品からなる筺体１３は、特に図１６に示すように、底板である四角状の絶縁基体１３ａと、この絶縁基体１３ａの四方から直角に上方に延びて、上部が開放した側面板１３ｂとで構成されている。
【００５０】
そして、この筺体１３は、特に図１５，図１６に示すように、絶縁基体１３ａの中央部に設けられた円形の凹部からなるガイド部１３ｃと、このガイド部１３ｃの外周部に設けられたリング状の凹部からなるバネ受け部１３ｄと、隣り合う二つの側面板１３ｂの外周面に設けられた凹部からなる収納部１３ｅと、互いに対向する二対の側面板１３ｂの対向する位置に設けられた孔１３ｆと、収納部１３ｅが設けられた絶縁基体１３ａの一辺の中央部に形成された凹部１３ｇと、側面板１３ｂの上端から上方に突出して設けられた複数の突起１３ｈとを有する。
【００５１】
合成樹脂の成型品からなる絶縁基板１４は、矩形状をなす基部１４ａと、基部１４ａの中央部に設けられた円形の孔１４ｂと、基部１４ａの一側部の中央部から突出する凸部１４ｃと、この凸部１４ｃを設けた一側部と対向するもう一つの側部に設けられた複数の突起１４ｄとを有する。
また、この絶縁基板１４は、絶縁基体１３ａの隣り合う二辺にそれぞれ位置すると共に、絶縁基板１４と絶縁基体１３ａとにインサート成型により埋設された金属材である金属板からなる一対の金属体１５ａと１個の金属体１５ｂとにより、それぞれの絶縁基板１４が絶縁基体１３ａに連結されている。
【００５２】
そして、この絶縁基板１４に埋設された一対の金属体１５ａの一端は、絶縁基板１４の表面から露出した状態となっており、この絶縁基板１４の表面に抵抗体１６が塗布、或いは吹き付け等の方法により形成されて、抵抗体１６の両端側がそれぞれ金属体１５ａの一端に接触した状態となっている。
また、もう１個の金属体１５ｂは、孔１４ｂを囲むような状態で絶縁基板１４の表面から露出した状態となっており、この金属体１５ｂによって、集電体が形成されている。
【００５３】
このような構成を有する絶縁基板１４は、外側に突出するように金属体１５ａ、１５ｂを折り曲げて、凸部１４ｃｂを凹部１３ｇにはめ合わせて、凹凸嵌合させると共に、基部１４ａの側部を絶縁基体１３ａの表面に載置して、抵抗体１６の面が絶縁基体１３ａに対して垂直状態になるように、絶縁基板１４を絶縁基体１３ａに対して垂直状態に取り付ける。
そして、絶縁基板１４が絶縁基体１３ａに対して垂直状態に取り付けられた際、抵抗体１６の面は、絶縁基体１３ａの中央部方向に向いて、収納部１３ｅに対向した状態になると共に、折り曲げられた金属体１５ａ、１５ｂは、抵抗体１６，及び集電体の端子としての役目をなしている。
この時、絶縁基体１３ａから外方に突出した金属体１５ａ、１５ｂの折り曲げ部分は、互いに重なるように折り曲げられていると共に、少なくとも一対の金属体１５ａは、中央部に位置する凹凸嵌合の両側に配置されている。
このような状態で、二つの絶縁基板１４が絶縁基体１３ａの隣り合う二辺に配置されている。
【００５４】
次に、筺体１３と絶縁基板１４の製造方法を図１６，図１７に基づいて説明すると、筺体１３の絶縁基体１３ａには、１枚の金属板を所定の形状に折り曲げ、或いは打ち抜いた金属体１５ａ、１５ｂの一部がインサート成型され、また、二つの絶縁基板１４には、金属体１５ａ、１５ｂの一部がインサート成型されて、図１６に示すように、筺体１３と絶縁基板１４とが同時に成型加工される。
【００５５】
そして、成型加工された二つの絶縁基板１４は、それぞれが複数の金属体１５ａ、１５ｂによって、絶縁基体１３ａから離れた状態で絶縁基体１３ａに連結された状態となっている。
次に、絶縁基板１４の表面に、塗布等の方法によって抵抗体１６を形成した後、図１７に示すように、外側に突出するように金属体１５ａ、１５ｂを折り曲げて、凸部１４ｃを凹部１３ｇにはめ合わせると共に、基部１４ａの側部を絶縁基体１３ａの表面に載置して、抵抗体１６の面が絶縁基体１３ａに対して垂直状態になるように、絶縁基板１４を絶縁基体１３ａに対して垂直状態に取り付けると、筺体１３と絶縁基板１４の製造が完了する。
【００５６】
合成樹脂の成型品からなる複数個の回転体１７は、特に図１５に示すように、中心部に凹部からなる係合部１７ａを有する軸部１７ｂと、軸部１７ｂの前方部に設けられた鍔部１７ｃと、軸部１７ｂの後部に設けられたスナップ脚部１７ｄとを有する。
そして、この回転体１７は、絶縁基板１４によって開放部が塞がれた収納部１３ｅに収納されると共に、スナップ脚部１７ｄが絶縁基板１４に掛け止めされた状態で、軸部１７ｂが孔１４ｂに回転可能に保持されて、絶縁基板１４に取り付けられている。
【００５７】
バネ性ある金属板からなる複数の摺動子１８は、特に図１５に示すように、それぞれ回転体１７の鍔部１７ｃに取り付けられ、抵抗体１６と、集電体である金属体１５ｂとに摺動可能となっている。
そして、抵抗体１６と集電体である金属体１５ｂを設けた絶縁基板１４と、摺動子１８を設けた回転体１７とで、回転型の可変抵抗器からなる複数の電気部品１９ａ、１９ｂが形成されている。
また、この二つの電気部品１９ａ、１９ｂは、隣り合う側面板１３ｂに設けられて、側面板１３ｂが電気部品１９ａ、１９ｂのケースの役目を兼用したものとなっている。
【００５８】
第１，第２連動部材２０，２１は、中央部にスリット２０ａ、２１ａを有し、この第１，第２連動部材２０，２１は、互いに十字状になるように配置された状態で、筺体１３の対向する側面板１３ｂ間に回転可能に取り付けられている。
即ち、第１連動部材２０の両端部は、側面板１３ｂの対向する孔１３ｆに嵌合されると共に、その一端部が一つの電気部品１９ａの回転体１７の係合部１７ａと係合し、また、第２連動部材２１の両端部は、側面板１３ｂの対向する孔１３ｆに嵌合されると共に、その一端部がもう一つの電気部品１９ｂの回転体１７の係合部１７ａと係合している。
そして、第１，第２連動部材２０，２１が同時、或いは単独に回転した時、回転体１７も回転し、これによって、摺動子１８が抵抗体１６、及び集電体である金属体１５ｂ上を摺動して、抵抗値を可変し、電気部品１９ａ、１９ｂが操作されるようになっている。
【００５９】
孔２２ａを有する操作体２２は、第１，第２連動部材２０，２１のスリット２０ａ、２１ａに挿通され、第２連動部材２１に設けた孔（図示せず）と操作体２２の孔２２ａに挿通された止め棒２３によって、第２連動部材２１に回動可能に取り付けられると共に、操作体２２の上部は、筺体１３の上部に取り付けられた上面板２４の中央部の孔２４ａからから上方に突出している。
また、上面板２４は、特に図１７に示すように、中央部に設けられた円形の大きな孔２４ａと、周辺部に設けられた複数の小さな孔２４ｂとを有し、この上面板２４は、筺体１３の突起１３ｈと絶縁基板１４の突起１４ｄを孔２４ｂに挿通した後、図１４に示すように、突起１３ｈ、１４ｄの先端部を熱カシメ等によって拡げて、筺体１３，及び絶縁基板１４に取り付けられている。
また、この上面板２４によって、絶縁基板１４をしっかりと、その位置に取り付けるようになっている。
【００６０】
そして、操作体２２がスリット２１ａに沿って回転（傾倒）した時、操作体２２は、第１連動部材２０を押圧して、第１連動部材２０を回転して電気部品１９ａを操作し、また、操作体２２がスリット２０ａに沿って回転（傾倒）した時、操作体２２は、第２連動部材２１を押圧して、第２連動部材２１を回転して電気部品１９ｂを操作し、更に、操作体２２が第１，第２連動部材２０，２１の間、即ち、第１，第２連動部材２０，２１を同時に押圧して回転（傾倒）した時、操作体２２は、第１、第２連動部材２０，２１を介して電気部品１９ａ、１９ｂを同時に操作するようになっている。
【００６１】
合成樹脂の成型品等からなるお椀状の第１可動部材２５は、図１５に示すように、ガイド部１３ｃに挿通されて上下方向に移動可能にガイドされた底壁２５ａと、凹部２５ｂを設けて底壁２５ａの周囲から上方に延びる筒状部２５ｃと、筒状部２５ｃの上端に設けられた鍔部２５ｄとを有する。
そして、この第１可動部材２５は、下部が絶縁基体１３ａのガイド部１３ｃ内に位置して取り付けられている。
また、図１５において、第１可動部材２５は、二分された状態で、未動作時と動作時の双方が示された状態となっており、ハッチングされた状態が未動作時を示し、未ハッチング状態が動作時を示している。
【００６２】
また、合成樹脂の成型品等からなる第２可動部材２６は、図１５に示すように、皿状の底壁２６ａと、底壁２６ａの中央部に設けられた筒状部２６を有し、その中央部が操作体２２の下端に固着されている。
そして、この第２可動部材２６は、底壁２６ａが第１可動部材２５の底壁２５ａに当接された状態で、凹部２５ｂ内に収納されている。
また、コイルバネ２７は、一端が絶縁基体１３ａのバネ受け部１３ｄに位置されると共に、他端が第１可動部材２５の鍔部２５ｄに位置されて配設されており、
このコイルバネ２７によって、第１，第２可動部材２５，２６を上方に弾圧している。
【００６３】
この構成によって、第１可動部材２５は、コイルバネ２７によって、常に水平状態を維持するようになっているため、第１可動部材２５の底壁２５ａ上に、底壁２６ａが載置された第２可動部材２６も水平状態を維持するようになっており、操作体２２も中立位置になっている。
そして、操作体２２を回転（傾倒）した時（例えば、図１５の二点差線で示す状態）、第２可動部材２６が傾いた状態となり、代価胴部剤２５をコイルバネ２７に抗して下方に移動させる。
【００６４】
また、操作体２２の傾倒動作を解除すると、コイルバネ２７によって、第１可動部材２５が第２可動部材２６を押圧し、第２可動部材２６が水平状態に戻るようになると共に、この動作で、操作体２２も直立状態に戻されるようになっている。
即ち、第１，第２可動部材２５，２６とコイルバネ２７によって、操作体２２の自動復帰を行わしめるための復帰手段が形成されている。
【００６５】
このような構成を有する本発明の多方向入力装置の動作を説明すると、先ず、操作体２２を傾倒させると、操作体２２は止め棒２３を支点として傾倒し、その結果、操作体２２が第１連動部材２０，又は／及び第２連動部材２１を押圧して、これを回転させる。
すると、第１，第２連動部材２０，２１がそれぞれ電気部品１９ａ、１９ｂの回転体１７を回転させて、電気部品１９ａ、１９ｂを操作する。
【００６６】
また、操作体２２の傾倒動作によって、第２可動部材２６が傾いた状態となり、これに伴って、第１可動部材２５がコイルバネ２７を撓めつつ下方へ移動する。
次に、操作体２２への傾倒動作を解除すると、コイルバネ２７によって、第２可動部材２６が水平状態に戻るようになると共に、この動作で、操作体２２も直立状態の元の状態に戻される。
このようにして、本発明の多方向入力装置の動作が行われるものである。
【００６７】
次に、本発明の第２実施例における多方向入力装置の製造方法を説明すると、先ず、図１６に示すように、筺体１３の絶縁基体１３ａと二つの絶縁基板１４とに、金属体１５ａ、１５ｂの一部がインサート成型された状態で、筺体１３と絶縁基板１４とが同時に成型加工される。
次に、絶縁基板１４の表面に、塗布等の方法によって抵抗体１６を形成した後、絶縁基板１４の孔１４ｂには、摺動子１８を取り付けた回転体１７をスナップ脚部１７ｄによって、スナップ止する。
【００６８】
次に、図１７に示すように、外側に突出するように金属体１５ａ、１５ｂを折り曲げて、凸部１４ｃを凹部１３ｇにはめ合わせると共に、基部１４ａの側部を絶縁基体１３ａの表面に載置して、抵抗体１６の面が絶縁基体１３ａに対して垂直状態になるように、絶縁基板１４を絶縁基体１３ａに対して垂直状態に取り付ける。
すると、絶縁基板１４によって、収納部１３ｅの開放部が塞がれると共に、回転体１７が収納部１３ｅ内に位置した状態となって、二つの電気部品１９ａ、１９ｂが形成される。
【００６９】
次に、筺体１３の上方から筺体１３内に、順次、コイルバネ２７，第１可動部材２５を収納した後、操作体２２、及び第２可動部材２６を取り付けた第２連動部材２１が筺体１３の上方から側面板１３ｂを撓ませながら筺体１３内に挿入されて、第２連動部材２１が対向する一対の側面板１３ｂの孔１３ｆに取り付けられる。
この時、第２連動部材２１の一端が電気部品１９ｂの回転体１７の係合部１７ａに係合すると共に、コイルバネ２７によって、第１，第２可動部材２５，２６が上方に押圧されて、第２可動部材２６の筒状部２６ｂが操作体２２に弾圧された状態となる。
【００７０】
次に、第１連動部材２０が筺体１３の上方から筺体１３内に挿入されて、第１連動部材２０が対向する一対の側面板１３ｂの孔１３ｆに取り付けられると共に、第１連動部材２０の一端が電気部品１９ａの回転体１７の係合部１７ａに係合した状態となる。
そして、最後に、孔２４ａに操作体２２を挿通した状態で、上面板２４を筺体１３と絶縁基板１４に取り付けると、その製造が完了する。
【００７１】
【発明の効果】
本発明の多方向入力装置において、電気部品Ｄは、表面に抵抗体７を設けた合成樹脂製の複数の絶縁基板５を有し、この複数の絶縁基板５と絶縁基体１は、埋設された金属体６により連結され、金属体６を折り曲げて、絶縁基体１の外周部には、絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に対して抵抗体７の面を垂直状態にして配置されたため、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５とが金属体６によって一体となって、従来に比して部品点数が少なく、安価な多方向入力装置を提供できる。
また、同じ工程中において、金属体６を折り曲げて、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５とを組み合わせれば良く、従来に比して、組立性が良好で、生産性の良い多方向入力装置を提供できる。
【００７２】
また、絶縁基板５のそれぞれは、複数の金属体６で絶縁基体１に連結され、これ等の金属体６が抵抗体７に電気的に接続され、金属体６の折り曲げ部分を絶縁基体１から外方に突出させて、金属体６を抵抗体７の端子としたため、金属体６が絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５の連結部材、及び抵抗体７の端子を兼ね、従って、構成が簡単であると共に、部品点数が少なく、安価で、生産性の良好な多方向入力装置を提供できる。
【００７３】
また、絶縁基体１から外方に突出した金属体６の折り曲げ部分が互いに重なるように折り曲げられたため、端子としての強度を高めることができる。
【００７４】
また、複数の絶縁基板５と絶縁基体１とが凹凸嵌合された状態で、絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態に配置されたため、両者の組合せが簡単で、生産性が良好であると共に、絶縁基体１に対する絶縁基板５の位置決めの確実なものが得られる。
【００７５】
また、絶縁基体１の外周部には凹部１ａが設けられると共に、絶縁基板５の側部には凸部５ｂが設けられ、凹部１ａに凸部５ｂを嵌合させて凹凸嵌合したため、その構成が簡単で、安価で、生産性の良好なものが得られる。
【００７６】
また、絶縁基体１の一辺の中央部で凹凸嵌合し、この凹凸嵌合の両側に金属体６を位置させたため、絶縁基板５が複数の金属体６で絶縁基体１に連結されて、その連結強度を高めることができると共に、金属体６の折り曲げ加工において、安定した折り曲げ加工ができる。
【００７７】
また、合成樹脂製の絶縁基体１、及びこの絶縁基体１の周囲に配置された合成樹脂製の複数の絶縁基板５とがインサート成型された金属材からなる金属体６によって連結され、絶縁基板５の表面に、電気部品Ｄの一部を構成する抵抗体７を形成した後、金属体６を折り曲げて、絶縁基体１の外周部において、絶縁基体１に対して抵抗体７の面が垂直状態になるように絶縁基板５を配置した製造方法としたため、絶縁基体１と複数の絶縁基板５とを一体にして、一つの部品として製造された後、金属体６を折り曲げ加工すれば良く、従って、生産性の良好な多方向入力装置の製造方法を提供できる。
【００７８】
また、絶縁基板５のそれぞれは、抵抗体７に電気的に接続された複数の金属体６で絶縁基体１に連結され、金属体６の折り曲げ部分を絶縁基体１から外方に突出させて、金属体６を抵抗体７の端子とした製造方法としたため、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５の連結部材、及び抵抗体７の端子を兼ねる金属体６を折り曲げすれば良く、従って、その製造が簡単で、生産性の良好な多方向入力装置の製造方法を提供できる。
【００７９】
また、複数の絶縁基板５と絶縁基体１とは、絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態になるように凹凸嵌合された製造方法としたため、両者の組合せが簡単で、生産性の良好な多方向入力装置の製造方法を提供できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例の拡大断面図。
【図２】本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係り、筺体を取り除いた状態を示す平面図。
【図３】本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例の要部の拡大断面図。
【図４】本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る製造方法を示す説明図。
【図５】図４の５−５線における断面図。
【図６】本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る作動体の平面図。
【図７】図６の７−７線における断面図。
【図８】本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る駆動体の平面図。
【図９】図８の９−９線における断面図。
【図１０】本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る操作体の平面図。
【図１１】図１０の１１−１１線における断面図。
【図１２】本発明の多方向入力装置の第１実施例に係る筺体の平面図。
【図１３】図１２の１３−１３線における断面図。
【図１４】本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例の斜視図。
【図１５】本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例に係り、その構成と動作を示す要部断面図。
【図１６】本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例に係る製造法を示す説明図。
【図１７】本発明の多方向入力装置の第２実施例に係る製造法を示す説明図。
【図１８】従来の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図。
【符号の説明】
１絶縁基体
１ａ凹部
１ｂ突壁
１ｃ空間部
２第１固定接点
２ａ接点部
２ｂ端子部
３第２固定接点
３ａ接点部
３ｂ端子部
４可動接点
Ｐプッシュスイッチ
５絶縁基板
５ａ基部
５ｂ凸部
５ｃ凹部
６金属体（端子）
７抵抗体
８作動体
８ａ孔
８ｂリング状部
８ｃ脚部
９可動接触部
１０駆動体
１０ａ基部
１０ｂ凸部
１０ｃ孔
１０ｄ孔
１１操作体
１１ａ軸部
１１ｂ鍔部
１１ｃ凸部
１２筺体
１２ａ上面板
１２ｂ孔
１２ｃ側面板
１２ｄ取付片
１２ｅ取付部
Ｄ電気部品
Ｇ軸線
Ｓ操作部材
１３筺体
１３ａ絶縁基体
１３ｂ側面板
１３ｃガイド部
１３ｄバネ受け部
１３ｅ収納部
１３ｆ孔
１３ｇ凹部
１３ｈ突起
１４絶縁基板
１４ａ基部
１４ｂ孔
１４ｃ凸部
１４ｄ突起
１５ａ金属体
１５ｂ金属体
１６抵抗体
１７回転体
１７ａ係合部
１７ｂ軸部
１７ｃ鍔部
１７ｄスナップ脚部
１８摺動子
１９ａ電気部品
１９ｂ電気部品
２０第１連動部材
２０ａスリット
２１第２連動部材
２１ａスリット
２２操作体
２２ａ孔
２３止め棒
２４上面板
２４ａ孔
２４ｂ孔
２５第１可動部材
２５ａ底壁
２５ｂ凹部
２５ｃ筒状部
２５ｄ鍔部
２６第２可動部材
２６ａ底壁
２６ｂ筒状部
２７コイルバネ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device suitable for use in an electronic device such as a game machine, and a method for manufacturing the multidirectional input device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The configuration of a conventional joystick-type multi-directional input device will be described with reference to FIG. 18. A housing 31 formed by bending a metal plate includes an upper surface plate 31b having a large hole 31a and four sides of the upper surface plate 31b. And a side plate 31c bent downward.
[0003]
A plurality of electric components 32a and 32b made of a rotary variable resistor include a box-shaped case 33, an insulating substrate 34 attached to an open portion of the case 33 and provided with a resistor (not shown), The rotating body 35 is rotatably attached to the insulating substrate 34 and is attached with a slider (not shown) that slides on the resistor, and each is formed as a single electric component 32a, 32b. Yes.
And the case 33 is attached to the adjacent side surface board 31c, and the two electric components 32a and 32b are attached to each other at a right angle.
[0004]
The first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 have slits 36a and 37a at the center, and the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 are arranged in a cross shape so that they are in a casing. It is rotatably attached between the side plates 31c facing each other.
That is, both end portions of the first interlocking member 36 are fitted into the opposing holes 31d of the side plate 31c, and one end portion thereof is engaged with the rotating body 35 of one electric component 32a, and the second interlocking member is engaged. Both end portions of the member 37 are fitted into opposing holes 31e of the side plate 31c, and one end portions thereof are engaged with the rotating body 35 of another electrical component 32b. When the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 are rotated simultaneously or independently, the rotating body 35 is also rotated, whereby the slider slides on the resistor and the resistance value is varied. The electric parts 32a and 32b are operated.
[0005]
The operating body 38 having the hole 38a is inserted into the slits 36a and 37a of the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37, and is stopped inserted into the hole 37b provided in the second interlocking member 37 and the hole 38a of the operating body 38. The rod 39 is rotatably attached to the second interlocking member 37, the upper portion of the operating body 38 protrudes upward from the hole 31a, and a knob 40 is attached to the tip.
[0006]
When the operating body 38 rotates (tilts) in the direction of the arrow X along the slit 37a, the operating body 38 presses the first interlocking member 36 and rotates the first interlocking member 36 so that the electrical component 32a is moved. When the operation body 38 is operated and rotated (tilted) in the direction of the arrow Y along the slit 36a, the operation body 38 presses the second interlocking member 37 and rotates the second interlocking member 37 to electrically When the component 32b is operated and the operating body 38 rotates (tilts) between the arrow X direction and the arrow Y direction, the operating body 38 presses the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 to The first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 are rotated to simultaneously operate the electrical components 32a and 32b.
[0007]
The bottom plate 41 made of a metal plate has a cylindrical bulging portion 41 a provided in the middle. The bottom plate 41 is attached to the lower portion of the housing 31 so as to close the open portion of the lower portion of the housing 31. .
The first movable member 42 is inserted into the tubular bulging portion 41a and guided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and has a tubular portion 42b having a bottom wall 42a and a flange portion provided at the upper end of the tubular portion 42b. 42c, and the second movable member 43 made of synthetic resin has a cylindrical portion 43b having a bottom wall 43a, and a central portion thereof is fixed to the lower end of the operation body 38.
[0008]
The first and second movable members 42 and 43 are disposed in the housing 31 with the second movable member 43 positioned in the cylindrical portion 42b of the first movable member 42, and the bottom plate 41 and the first plate A coil spring 44 is interposed between the flange portions 42 c of the first movable member 42, and the first and second movable members 42 and 43 are elastically pressed upward by the coil spring 44.
[0009]
With this configuration, the first movable member 42 is always maintained in a horizontal state by the coil spring 44, so the second wall 42 a is placed on the bottom wall 42 a of the first movable member 42. The movable member 43 is also maintained in a horizontal state, and is in a neutral position of the operating body 38.
When the operation body 38 is rotated (tilted), the horizontal state of the second movable member 43 is lost and the tilted state is caused, and the first movable member 42 is moved downward against the coil spring 44.
[0010]
Further, when the tilting operation of the operating body 38 is released, the first movable member 42 presses the second movable member 43 by the coil spring 44 and the second movable member 43 returns to the horizontal state. The operation body 38 is also returned to the upright state.
In other words, the first and second movable members 42 and 43 and the coil spring 44 form a return means for automatically returning the operating body 38.
[0011]
The operation of the conventional multi-directional input device having such a configuration will be described. First, when the operation body 38 is tilted by picking the knob 40, the operation body 38 is tilted with the stop bar 39 as a fulcrum, and as a result, the operation body 38 is operated. The body 38 presses the first interlocking member 36 and / or the second interlocking member 37 to rotate it.
Then, the 1st, 2nd interlocking members 36 and 37 rotate the rotary body 35 of the electrical components 32a and 32b, respectively, and operate the electrical components 32a and 32b.
[0012]
Further, the second movable member 43 is tilted by the tilting operation of the operating body 38, and accordingly, the first movable member 42 moves downward while bending the coil spring 44.
Next, when the tilting operation to the operating body 38 is released, the second movable member 43 is returned to the horizontal state by the coil spring 44, and the operating body 38 is also returned to the original state in the upright state by this operation. .
In this way, the operation of the conventional multidirectional input device is performed.
[0013]
Next, the manufacturing method of the conventional multidirectional input device will be described. First, the casing 31 is manufactured from a metal plate by punching and bending.
In a separate process, after manufacturing parts such as the case 33 for the electric parts 32a and 32b and the insulating substrate 34 provided with the resistor, these are assembled to produce the electric parts 32a and 32b.
Next, the respective cases 33 of these electric components 32a and 32b are attached to different side plates 31c of the casing 31, and the attachment of the two electric components 32a and 32b is completed.
[0014]
Next, a second interlocking member 37 to which a first interlocking member 36 and an operating body 38 are attached is sequentially attached to the casing 31, and the first and second movable members 42 and 43 and the coil spring 44 are connected to the interior of the casing 31. Finally, the bottom plate 41 is attached to the housing 31 to complete its manufacture.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional multidirectional input device and the manufacturing method thereof, the housing 31, the bottom plate 41, and the insulating substrate 34 of the electrical components 32a and 32b are formed as separate components. Therefore, there is a problem in that the assembly work is troublesome, the productivity is low, and the cost is high.
[0016]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device that is highly productive and inexpensive, and a method for manufacturing the multi-directional input device.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a first means for solving the above problems, an operating body capable of multi-directional operation, a plurality of electrical components disposed around the operating body and operated by the operating body, An insulating base made of synthetic resin provided at a lower portion of the operating body, and the electric component has a plurality of insulating boards made of synthetic resin provided with resistors on the surface, and the insulating boards and the insulating body The base body is connected by an embedded metal body, the metal body is bent, and the insulating substrate is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the insulating base body with the surface of the resistor perpendicular to the insulating base body. The configuration was as follows.
[0018]
Further, as a second solving means, each of the insulating substrates is connected to the insulating base by a plurality of the metal bodies, and these metal bodies are electrically connected to the resistor, The bent portion protrudes outward from the insulating base, and the metal body is used as a terminal of the resistor.
As a third solution, the metal body protruding outward from the insulating base is bent so that the bent portions overlap each other.
[0019]
As a fourth solution, the insulating substrate is arranged in a vertical state with respect to the insulating substrate in a state in which the plurality of insulating substrates and the insulating substrate are concavo-convexly fitted.
As a fifth solution, a concave portion is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the insulating base, and a convex portion is provided on a side portion of the insulating substrate. The configuration was fitted.
As a sixth solution, the concave and convex fitting is performed at the center of one side of the insulating base, and the metal body is positioned on both sides of the concave and convex fitting.
[0020]
Further, as a seventh solution, an insulating base made of synthetic resin and a plurality of synthetic resin insulating substrates arranged around the insulating base are connected by a metal body made of insert-molded metal material, After forming a resistor constituting a part of the electrical component on the surface of the insulating substrate, the metal body is bent, and the surface of the resistor is perpendicular to the insulating substrate at the outer periphery of the insulating substrate. The manufacturing method is such that the insulating substrate is arranged so as to be in a state.
Further, as an eighth solution, each of the insulating substrates is connected to the insulating base by a plurality of the metal bodies electrically connected to the resistor, and a bent portion of the metal body is connected to the insulating base. The metal body was made to protrude outward and the metal body was used as the terminal of the resistor.
Further, as a ninth solution, the plurality of insulating substrates and the insulating base are made to be a concave and convex fitting so that the insulating substrate is in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings of the multidirectional input device and the method of manufacturing the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIGS. 1 to 13 relate to a first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the direction input device, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the state of the multi-direction input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the housing removed, and FIG. 3 is the multi-direction input of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. FIG.
[0022]
6 is a plan view of an operating body according to the first embodiment of the multi-directional input device of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a diagram of the multi-directional input device of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a plan view of an operating body according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the housing according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. .
[0023]
Next, the configuration of the first embodiment of the multi-directional input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. The insulating substrate 1 made of a synthetic resin molding is particularly shown in FIGS. In addition, it has a quadrangular flat plate shape, and has four recesses 1a provided in the central part of each side of the outer peripheral part, and a pair of arc-shaped protruding walls 1b provided in the central part.
The first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 made of a metal plate are embedded and attached to the insulating base 1 by insert molding.
[0024]
The first fixed contact 2 has the contact portion 2a exposed at the central portion in the protruding wall 1b, the terminal portion 2b protrudes from the outer peripheral portion of the insulating base 1, and the second fixed contact 3 has the protruding wall 1b. Inside, the contact portion 3 a is exposed in a state of surrounding the contact portion 2 a, and the terminal portion 3 b protrudes from the outer peripheral portion of the insulating base 1.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a dome-shaped movable contact 4 made of a metal spring plate is disposed in the protruding wall 1b.
And this movable contact 4 has the lower end of a peripheral part always contacting the contact part 3a, and the center part is in the state facing the contact part 2a. When the center part of the movable contact 4 is pushed, the center part is It reverses with a click and touches the contact part 2a, the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 are turned on, and when the movable contact 4 is released, the movable contact 4 self-resets. Thus, the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 are turned off.
Thus, the push switch P is formed by the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 and the movable contact 4.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insulating substrate 5 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a base portion 5a having a rectangular shape and a convex portion 5b having a concave portion 5c protruding from a central portion of one side portion of the base portion 5a. And have.
In addition, the insulating substrate 5 is located on each of the four sides of the insulating base 1, and a pair of metal bodies 6 made of a metal plate that is a metal material embedded in the insulating substrate 5 and the insulating base 1 by insert molding, Each insulating substrate 5 is connected to the insulating substrate 1.
[0027]
One end of the pair of metal bodies 6 embedded in the insulating substrate 5 is exposed from the surface of the insulating substrate 5, and a resistor 7 is applied to the surface of the insulating substrate 5 or sprayed. It is formed by the method, and both ends of the resistor 7 are in contact with one end of the metal body 6, respectively.
[0028]
The insulating substrate 5 having such a structure is formed by bending the metal body 6 so as to protrude outward, fitting the convex portion 5b to the concave portion 1a, and fitting the concave and convex portions, and the side portion of the base portion 5a with the insulating base 1 The insulating substrate 5 is mounted in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 1 so that the surface of the resistor 7 is in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 1.
When the insulating substrate 5 is attached to the insulating substrate 1 in a vertical state, the surface of the resistor 7 is in a state of being directed toward the central portion of the insulating substrate 1, and the bent metal body 6 is It serves as a terminal for the resistor 7.
At this time, the bent portions of the metal body 6 projecting outward from the insulating base 1 are bent so as to overlap each other, and the metal bodies 6 are arranged on both sides of the concave-convex fitting located in the center portion. Yes.
[0029]
In such a state, the four insulating substrates 5 are arranged in a square shape with respect to the insulating base 1, and at this time, a space 1c (see FIG. 4)).
In this embodiment, the four insulating substrates 5 are arranged in a square shape. However, the two insulating substrates 5 may be arranged in a right angle shape.
Alternatively, the insulating substrate 1 may be octagonal and the insulating substrate 5 may be octagonal.
[0030]
Next, a method for manufacturing the insulating base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The insulating base 1 is formed by bending or punching a single metal plate into a predetermined shape. 2 A part of the fixed contacts 2 and 3 and the metal body 6 are insert-molded, and a part of the metal body 6 is insert-molded on the four insulating substrates 5, so that the insulating base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 are Molded at the same time.
[0031]
The four insulating substrates 5 that have been molded are in a state of being connected to the insulating substrate 1 by a pair of metal bodies 6 while being separated from the insulating substrate 1.
Next, after the resistor 7 is formed on the surface of the insulating substrate 5 by a method such as coating, the metal body 6 is bent so as to protrude outward, the convex portion 5b is fitted into the concave portion 1a, and the base portion 5a When the insulating substrate 5 is mounted in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 1 such that the side portion is placed on the surface of the insulating base 1 and the surface of the resistor 7 is in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 1, insulation The manufacture of the base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 is completed.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the operating body 8 made of an insulating rubber material has a rectangular ring-shaped portion 8b having a rectangular hole 8a at the center and four sides of the ring-shaped portion 8b. And four leg portions 8c extending radially.
The movable contact portion 9 made of a conductive rubber material is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the ring-shaped portion 8b located between the leg portions 8c of the operating body 8.
The movable contact portion 9 is molded simultaneously with the working body 8 when the working body 8 is molded, and is formed of the same material in the present embodiment.
The movable contact portion 9 may be formed of a conductor such as a metal plate.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 2, the actuating body 8 has a leg portion 8 c thicker than the ring-shaped portion 8 b placed in the space portion 1 c of the insulating base 1, and the ring-shaped portion 8 b slightly extends from the insulating base 1. Can be installed remotely.
At this time, the movable contact portion 9 is opposed to the resistor 7 in a slightly separated state, and the hole 8a is located at the center of the insulating base 1 and is fixed to the first and second fixed portions from the hole 8a. The contacts 2 and 3 and the protruding wall 1b are exposed.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the driving body 10 made of a synthetic resin molding or the like has a flat base 10a that is a flat plate, a protrusion 10b that protrudes upward from the center of the base 10a, and a base 10a. An oval-shaped hole 10c provided in the central portion of the projection 10b and a circular hole 10d provided in the central portion of the convex portion 10b and communicating with the hole 10c.
The driving body 10 is disposed in a state where the base 10a is fitted in the hole 8a of the operating body 8 and the lower surface of the base 10a is in contact with the protruding wall 1b.
[0035]
The drive body 10 is slidable in multiple directions. As shown in FIG. 2, when the drive body 10 is slid in the direction of the arrow A1, the leg portions 8c extending radially from the ring-shaped portion 8b and the direction of the arrow A1 are provided. The crosspiece of the extending ring-shaped portion 8 b is deformed to press the movable contact portion 9 against the resistor 7.
The movable contact portion 9 changes in contact area with the resistor 7 depending on the amount of movement of the slide of the driving body 10, and as a result, the resistance value between the pair of metal bodies 6 as terminals is varied. It becomes like this.
When the sliding motion of the driving body 10 is canceled, the driving body 10 returns to the state before the movement and is movable by the self elasticity of the leg portion 8c of the operating body 8 and the ring-shaped portion 8b positioned in the arrow A1 direction. The contact portion 9 is also returned to the state before the movement in the non-contact state with the resistor 7.
[0036]
Also, when the drive body 10 is slid in the directions of arrows A2, A3, and A4, the resistance value of each single resistor 7 can be varied according to the principle as described above.
As described above, one resistor 7 and one movable contact portion 9 constitute an electrical component D composed of one variable resistor. In this embodiment, four electrical components D are formed. It has become a thing.
[0037]
Further, when the driving body 10 is slid in an oblique direction that is the direction between the adjacent insulating substrates 5, the two movable contact portions 9 can be pressed against the respective resistance bodies 7, and as a result, the two resistances The contact area with the body 7 is changed at the same time, and the two electrical components D are operated.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operation body 11 made of a synthetic resin molded product or the like has a cylindrical shaft portion 11 a and an oval non-circular collar portion provided at the lower portion of the shaft portion 11 a. 11b and the convex part 11c provided in the lower end part.
The operating body 11 is inserted into the holes 10c and 10d from below the driving body 10, and as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft portion 11a protrudes upward from the hole 10d, and the flange portion 11b extends into the hole 10c. It is attached to the drive body 10 so that it can move up and down, but cannot rotate in the locked state.
The operating body 11, the driving body 10, and the operating body 8 constitute an operating member S for driving the movable contact portion 9.
[0039]
Further, when the operating body 11 is attached, the insulating base 1 is disposed below the operating body 11, and the lower convex portion 11 c comes into contact with the central portion of the movable contact 4, so that the spring property of the movable contact 4 is achieved. Thus, the operating body 11 is elastically pressed upward, and the collar portion 11b is in elastic contact with the driving body 10.
When the operating body 11 is pressed downward, the movable contact 4 is pressed and reversed, the push switch P is operated, and when the pressing operation of the operating body 11 is released, the operating body is caused by the spring property of the movable contact 4. 11 is returned to the original position.
Further, when the operating body 11 is slid in the horizontal direction by holding the shaft portion 11a, the driving body 10 is slid by the operating body 11.
[0040]
A rectangular housing 12 formed by bending a metal plate or the like includes a rectangular upper surface plate 12a and a circular shape provided at the center of the upper surface plate 12a, as shown in FIGS. Holes 12b, a side plate 12c formed by bending downward from four sides of the upper surface plate 12a, a bent portion formed outwardly from the lower end of the side plate 12c, and a mounting portion for a printed circuit board (not shown). A plurality of mounting pieces 12d, and a mounting portion 12e that is located at the middle of the lower side of the side plate 12c and extends downward from the lower end of the side plate 12c.
[0041]
Then, the insulating substrate 1 is positioned in the recess 5c provided in the convex portion 5b with the insulating substrate 5, the actuating body 8 and the driving body 10 accommodated in the housing 12. They are bent together on the lower surface side of them and are combined together.
When the housing 12 is attached in this manner, the convex portion 10b of the driving body 10 and the shaft portion 11a of the operating body 11 protrude from the hole 12b, and the base portion 10a of the driving body 10 is formed between the top plate 12a and the protruding wall 1b. In between, the guide at the time of the sliding movement of the drive body 10 is comprised.
[0042]
Further, the leg portion 8c has a quadrangular tip, and is sandwiched between the end surfaces of the adjacent insulating substrates 5 to restrict movement in the plane direction. Further, when the housing 12 is attached, the leg portion 8c having a large thickness is attached. The top end portion is pressed against and supported by the insulating base 1 by the upper surface plate 12a, and the support prevents the tip end portion of the leg portion 8c from moving, thereby facilitating deformation of the crosspiece of the ring-shaped portion 8b and the leg portion 8c. Thus, the automatic return to the neutral position is facilitated, the movable contact portion 9 is disposed in a state where it does not contact the upper surface plate 12 a and the insulating base 1, and the resistor 7 further has the axis G of the operating body 11. It is in a state of facing.
[0043]
Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described. First, when the operating body 11 is slid laterally in the direction of the arrow A1, for example, the operating body 11 is accompanied. The driving body 10 slides and presses the crosspiece of the ring-shaped portion 8b, thereby deforming the crosspiece of the ring-shaped portion 8b and the leg portion 8c formed along the moving direction.
Then, the movable contact portion 9 is pressed against the resistor 7, and the contact area of the movable contact portion 9 changes with respect to the resistor 7 according to the amount of slide movement of the drive body 10, and as a result, a pair of terminals serving as terminals. The resistance value between the metal bodies 6 becomes variable.
When the sliding motion of the operating body 11 is released, the driving body 10 and the operating body 11 return to the state before the movement due to the elasticity of the operating body 8, and the movable contact portion 9 is not in contact with the resistor 7. The state is returned to the state before the movement.
[0044]
Next, when the operating body 11 is slid in an oblique direction, which is the direction between the adjacent insulating substrates 5, the crosspieces and legs of the two adjacent ring-shaped parts 8b located on the opposite side to the moving direction via the driving body 10 are used. The portion 8c is deformed at the same time, so that the two movable contact portions 9 can be pressed against the respective resistors 7, and as a result, the contact area with respect to the two resistors 7 can be changed at the same time. The part D is operated.
When the sliding motion of the operating body 11 is released, the driving body 10 and the operating body 11 return to the state before the movement due to the elasticity of the operating body 8 as described above, and the two movable contact portions 9 Is also returned to the state before the movement in a non-contact state with the resistor 7.
[0045]
Next, when the operating body 11 is pressed downward, the operating body 11 is guided by the driving body 10 to move downward, the movable contact 4 is pushed and reversed, and the push switch P is operated to be turned on. When the pressing operation of the operating body 11 is released, the operating body 11 is returned to the original position due to the spring property of the movable contact 4, and the push switch P is turned off.
In this way, the multi-directional input device of the present invention is operated.
[0046]
In the above-described embodiment, the operation member S has been described in which the operating body 8, the drive body 10, and the operation body 11 are formed as separate parts. However, these three parts are integrally formed of a rubber material. The operation member S may be formed to form a horizontal slide operation and a vertical operation by the operation member S.
Moreover, in the said Example, although the movable contact part 9 and the action | operation body 8 were simultaneously formed with one material, you may form with the movable contact part 9 and conductive rubber, and the action | operation body 8 may be formed with insulating rubber. .
[0047]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the push switch P is provided on the insulating substrate 1. However, a single push switch P may be used, and the push switch P may be used as necessary. It may be lost.
[0048]
14 to 17 show a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention and a method of manufacturing the multidirectional input device, and FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the structure and operation of a multi-directional input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure and operation of the multi-directional input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
[0049]
Next, the configuration of the second embodiment of the multi-directional input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17. This second embodiment is a joystick-type multi-directional input device having the same shape as the conventional one. As shown in FIG. 16, the casing 13 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a rectangular insulating base 13a as a bottom plate and a side that extends upward from the four sides of the insulating base 13a at a right angle and has an open top. And a face plate 13b.
[0050]
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the housing 13 includes a guide portion 13c formed of a circular recess provided in the central portion of the insulating base 13a and a ring provided on the outer peripheral portion of the guide portion 13c. Spring receiving portion 13d made of a concave portion, a storage portion 13e made of a concave portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of two adjacent side face plates 13b, and two pairs of side face plates 13b facing each other. It has a hole 13f, a recess 13g formed in the central portion of one side of the insulating base 13a provided with the storage portion 13e, and a plurality of protrusions 13h provided protruding upward from the upper end of the side plate 13b.
[0051]
The insulating substrate 14 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a rectangular base portion 14a, a circular hole 14b provided in the central portion of the base portion 14a, and a convex portion 14c protruding from the central portion of one side portion of the base portion 14a. And a plurality of protrusions 14d provided on the other side opposite to the one side provided with the convex portion 14c.
The insulating substrate 14 is positioned on two adjacent sides of the insulating base 13a, and a pair of metal bodies 15a made of a metal plate that is a metal material embedded in the insulating substrate 14 and the insulating base 13a by insert molding. And one metal body 15b connect each insulating substrate 14 to the insulating base 13a.
[0052]
One end of the pair of metal bodies 15a embedded in the insulating substrate 14 is exposed from the surface of the insulating substrate 14, and the resistor 16 is applied or sprayed on the surface of the insulating substrate 14. The both ends of the resistor 16 are in contact with one end of the metal body 15a.
The other metal body 15b is exposed from the surface of the insulating substrate 14 so as to surround the hole 14b, and a current collector is formed by the metal body 15b.
[0053]
The insulating substrate 14 having such a structure is formed by bending the metal bodies 15a and 15b so as to protrude outward, fitting the convex portion 14cb to the concave portion 13g and fitting the concave and convex portions, and insulating the side portion of the base portion 14a. The insulating substrate 14 is mounted on the surface of the base 13a so that the surface of the resistor 16 is perpendicular to the insulating base 13a.
When the insulating substrate 14 is attached in a state perpendicular to the insulating base 13a, the surface of the resistor 16 faces the storage portion 13e toward the central portion of the insulating base 13a and is bent. The metal bodies 15a and 15b thus formed serve as terminals of the resistor 16 and the current collector.
At this time, the bent portions of the metal bodies 15a and 15b protruding outward from the insulating base 13a are bent so as to overlap each other, and at least the pair of metal bodies 15a are on both sides of the concave-convex fitting located in the center portion. Is arranged.
In such a state, the two insulating substrates 14 are arranged on two adjacent sides of the insulating base 13a.
[0054]
Next, a method for manufacturing the housing 13 and the insulating substrate 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. The insulating base 13a of the housing 13 is a metal body obtained by bending or punching a single metal plate into a predetermined shape. A part of 15a, 15b is insert-molded, and part of the metal bodies 15a, 15b is insert-molded on the two insulating substrates 14, so that the housing 13 and the insulating substrate 14 are formed as shown in FIG. Molded at the same time.
[0055]
The two molded insulating substrates 14 are connected to the insulating base 13a by a plurality of metal bodies 15a and 15b, apart from the insulating base 13a.
Next, after forming the resistor 16 on the surface of the insulating substrate 14 by a method such as coating, the metal bodies 15a and 15b are bent so as to protrude outward as shown in FIG. The insulating substrate 14 is placed on the insulating base 13a so that the side of the base 14a is placed on the surface of the insulating base 13a and the surface of the resistor 16 is perpendicular to the insulating base 13a. On the other hand, when attached in a vertical state, the manufacture of the housing 13 and the insulating substrate 14 is completed.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 15, the plurality of rotating bodies 17 made of a synthetic resin molded product are provided at a shaft portion 17b having an engaging portion 17a formed of a concave portion at the center portion and a front portion of the shaft portion 17b. It has a flange part 17c and a snap leg part 17d provided at the rear part of the shaft part 17b.
The rotating body 17 is housed in the housing portion 13e whose open portion is closed by the insulating substrate 14, and the shaft portion 17b is formed in the hole 14b in a state where the snap leg portion 17d is hooked on the insulating substrate 14. And is attached to the insulating substrate 14 so as to be rotatable.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 15 in particular, the plurality of sliders 18 made of spring metal plates are respectively attached to the flanges 17c of the rotating body 17, and are connected to the resistor 16 and the metal body 15b which is a current collector. It is slidable.
A plurality of electrical components 19a and 19b each composed of a rotary variable resistor are constituted by an insulating substrate 14 provided with a resistor 16 and a metal body 15b as a current collector, and a rotating body 17 provided with a slider 18. Is formed.
The two electrical components 19a and 19b are provided on the adjacent side plate 13b, and the side plate 13b also serves as a case for the electrical components 19a and 19b.
[0058]
The first and second interlocking members 20 and 21 have slits 20a and 21a at the center, and the first and second interlocking members 20 and 21 are arranged in a cross shape so as to form a casing. It is rotatably attached between 13 opposing side plates 13b.
That is, both end portions of the first interlocking member 20 are fitted into the opposing holes 13f of the side plate 13b, and one end portion thereof is engaged with the engaging portion 17a of the rotating body 17 of one electrical component 19a, Further, both end portions of the second interlocking member 21 are fitted into opposing holes 13f of the side plate 13b, and one end portion thereof is engaged with the engaging portion 17a of the rotating body 17 of the other electrical component 19b. ing.
When the first and second interlocking members 20 and 21 rotate simultaneously or independently, the rotating body 17 also rotates, whereby the slider 18 is a resistor 16 and a metal body 15b that is a current collector. The electrical values 19a and 19b are operated by sliding the top and varying the resistance value.
[0059]
The operating body 22 having the hole 22 a is inserted into the slits 20 a and 21 a of the first and second interlocking members 20 and 21, and is inserted into a hole (not shown) provided in the second interlocking member 21 and the hole 22 a of the operating body 22. The stopper bar 23 inserted is rotatably attached to the second interlocking member 21, and the upper portion of the operation body 22 is upward from the central hole 24 a of the upper surface plate 24 attached to the upper portion of the housing 13. It protrudes.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 17 in particular, the upper surface plate 24 has a circular large hole 24a provided in the central portion and a plurality of small holes 24b provided in the peripheral portion. After the protrusion 13h of the housing 13 and the protrusion 14d of the insulating substrate 14 are inserted into the hole 24b, as shown in FIG. 14, the tips of the protrusions 13h and 14d are expanded by thermal caulking or the like to form the housing 13 and the insulating substrate 14. It is attached.
Further, the insulating substrate 14 is firmly attached to the position by the upper surface plate 24.
[0060]
When the operating body 22 rotates (tilts) along the slit 21a, the operating body 22 presses the first interlocking member 20, rotates the first interlocking member 20, and operates the electrical component 19a. When the operating body 22 rotates (tilts) along the slit 20a, the operating body 22 presses the second interlocking member 21, rotates the second interlocking member 21, and operates the electrical component 19b. When the operating body 22 rotates between the first and second interlocking members 20 and 21, that is, when the first and second interlocking members 20 and 21 are simultaneously pressed and rotated (tilted), the operating body 22 is 2 The electric components 19a and 19b are simultaneously operated via the interlocking members 20 and 21.
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 15, the bowl-shaped first movable member 25 made of a synthetic resin molded product or the like is provided with a bottom wall 25a that is inserted in the guide portion 13c and guided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a concave portion 25b. A cylindrical portion 25c extending upward from the periphery of the bottom wall 25a, and a flange portion 25d provided at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 25c.
The first movable member 25 is attached such that the lower portion is located in the guide portion 13c of the insulating base 13a.
In FIG. 15, the first movable member 25 is in a state of being divided into two states, that is, when not operating and when it is operating, and the hatched state indicates when it is not operating and is not hatched. The state indicates the operating state.
[0062]
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the second movable member 26 made of a synthetic resin molding or the like has a dish-shaped bottom wall 26a and a cylindrical portion 26 provided at the center of the bottom wall 26a. The central portion is fixed to the lower end of the operation body 22.
The second movable member 26 is accommodated in the recess 25b with the bottom wall 26a in contact with the bottom wall 25a of the first movable member 25.
The coil spring 27 has one end positioned at the spring receiving portion 13d of the insulating base 13a and the other end positioned at the flange 25d of the first movable member 25.
The coil spring 27 elastically presses the first and second movable members 25 and 26 upward.
[0063]
With this configuration, the first movable member 25 is always maintained in a horizontal state by the coil spring 27, so that the second wall 26a is placed on the bottom wall 25a of the first movable member 25. The movable member 26 is also maintained in a horizontal state, and the operating body 22 is also in the neutral position.
Then, when the operating body 22 is rotated (tilted) (for example, a state indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 15), the second movable member 26 is tilted, and the price barrel member 25 is moved downward against the coil spring 27. Move to.
[0064]
Further, when the tilting operation of the operating body 22 is released, the first movable member 25 presses the second movable member 26 by the coil spring 27 and the second movable member 26 returns to the horizontal state. The operating body 22 is also returned to the upright state.
That is, the first and second movable members 25 and 26 and the coil spring 27 form a return means for automatically returning the operating body 22.
[0065]
The operation of the multi-directional input device of the present invention having such a configuration will be described. First, when the operating body 22 is tilted, the operating body 22 tilts with the stop rod 23 as a fulcrum, and as a result, the operating body 22 is The first interlocking member 20 and / or the second interlocking member 21 is pressed and rotated.
Then, the 1st, 2nd interlocking | linkage members 20 and 21 rotate the rotary body 17 of the electrical components 19a and 19b, respectively, and operate the electrical components 19a and 19b.
[0066]
Further, the second movable member 26 is tilted by the tilting operation of the operation body 22, and accordingly, the first movable member 25 moves downward while bending the coil spring 27.
Next, when the tilting operation to the operating body 22 is released, the second movable member 26 is returned to the horizontal state by the coil spring 27, and the operating body 22 is also returned to the original state in the upright state by this operation. .
In this way, the operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is performed.
[0067]
Next, a method for manufacturing a multidirectional input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 16, an insulating base 13a of a housing 13 and two insulating substrates 14 are connected to a metal body 15a, In a state where a part of 15b is insert-molded, the housing 13 and the insulating substrate 14 are simultaneously molded.
Next, after the resistor 16 is formed on the surface of the insulating substrate 14 by a method such as coating, a rotating body 17 having a slider 18 attached to the hole 14b of the insulating substrate 14 is snapped by the snap legs 17d. Stop.
[0068]
Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the metal bodies 15a and 15b are bent so as to protrude outward, the convex portion 14c is fitted into the concave portion 13g, and the side portion of the base portion 14a is placed on the surface of the insulating base 13a. Then, the insulating substrate 14 is attached in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 13a so that the surface of the resistor 16 is in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 13a.
Then, the insulating substrate 14 closes the open portion of the storage portion 13e, and the rotating body 17 is positioned in the storage portion 13e, so that two electrical components 19a and 19b are formed.
[0069]
Next, after the coil spring 27 and the first movable member 25 are sequentially housed in the housing 13 from above the housing 13, the second interlocking member 21 to which the operating body 22 and the second movable member 26 are attached is the housing 13. The second interlocking member 21 is inserted into the holes 13f of the pair of side surface plates 13b that are inserted into the housing 13 while bending the side surface plate 13b from above.
At this time, one end of the second interlocking member 21 engages with the engaging portion 17a of the rotating body 17 of the electrical component 19b, and the first and second movable members 25, 26 are pressed upward by the coil spring 27, The cylindrical portion 26 b of the second movable member 26 is in a state of being pressed by the operating body 22.
[0070]
Next, the first interlocking member 20 is inserted into the housing 13 from above the housing 13, and the first interlocking member 20 is attached to the holes 13 f of the pair of side plates 13 b facing each other, and one end of the first interlocking member 20. Is engaged with the engaging portion 17a of the rotating body 17 of the electrical component 19a.
Finally, when the upper surface plate 24 is attached to the housing 13 and the insulating substrate 14 with the operating body 22 inserted through the hole 24a, the manufacture is completed.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
In the multidirectional input device of the present invention, the electrical component D has a plurality of insulating substrates 5 made of synthetic resin having resistors 7 on the surface, and the plurality of insulating substrates 5 and the insulating substrate 1 are embedded. Since the metal substrate 6 is connected and bent, and the insulating substrate 5 is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the insulating base 1 with the surface of the resistor 7 being perpendicular to the insulating base 1, the insulating base 1 And the insulating substrate 5 are integrated by the metal body 6, and the number of parts is smaller than that of the prior art, and an inexpensive multidirectional input device can be provided.
Further, in the same process, the metal body 6 may be bent and the insulating base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 may be combined to provide a multi-directional input device that has better assembly and higher productivity than conventional ones. it can.
[0072]
Each of the insulating substrates 5 is connected to the insulating base 1 by a plurality of metal bodies 6, and these metal bodies 6 are electrically connected to the resistor 7, and the bent portion of the metal body 6 is connected to the insulating base 1. Since the metal body 6 is used as a terminal of the resistor 7 by projecting outward, the metal body 6 also serves as a connecting member between the insulating base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 and a terminal of the resistor 7, and thus the configuration is simple. In addition, it is possible to provide a multidirectional input device that has a small number of parts, is inexpensive, and has good productivity.
[0073]
Further, since the bent portions of the metal body 6 protruding outward from the insulating base 1 are bent so as to overlap each other, the strength as a terminal can be increased.
[0074]
In addition, since the insulating substrate 5 is arranged perpendicular to the insulating substrate 1 in a state where the plurality of insulating substrates 5 and the insulating substrate 1 are concavo-convexly fitted, the combination of both is simple and the productivity is good. In addition, a reliable positioning of the insulating substrate 5 with respect to the insulating substrate 1 can be obtained.
[0075]
Further, the concave portion 1a is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the insulating base 1, and the convex portion 5b is provided on the side portion of the insulating substrate 5, and the convex portion 5b is fitted to the concave portion 1a so that the concave and convex portions are fitted. Is easy, inexpensive, and has good productivity.
[0076]
In addition, since the concave and convex fitting is performed at the central portion of one side of the insulating base 1, and the metal body 6 is positioned on both sides of the concave and convex fitting, the insulating substrate 5 is connected to the insulating base 1 by the plurality of metal bodies 6, and The connection strength can be increased, and the metal body 6 can be bent stably.
[0077]
Further, the insulating substrate 1 made of synthetic resin and a plurality of synthetic resin insulating substrates 5 arranged around the insulating substrate 1 are connected by a metal body 6 made of insert-molded metal material, and the insulating substrate 5 After forming the resistor 7 constituting a part of the electrical component D on the surface, the metal body 6 is bent, and the surface of the resistor 7 is perpendicular to the insulating substrate 1 at the outer periphery of the insulating substrate 1. Therefore, after the insulating base 1 and the plurality of insulating substrates 5 are integrally manufactured as a single component, the metal body 6 may be bent. Thus, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a multidirectional input device with good productivity.
[0078]
Each of the insulating substrates 5 is connected to the insulating base 1 by a plurality of metal bodies 6 electrically connected to the resistor 7, and the bent portion of the metal body 6 protrudes outward from the insulating base 1. Since the manufacturing method using the metal body 6 as the terminal of the resistor 7 is used, it is only necessary to bend the connecting member between the insulating base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 and the metal body 6 also serving as the terminal of the resistor 7, and thus the manufacturing thereof is simple. Thus, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a multidirectional input device with good productivity.
[0079]
In addition, since the plurality of insulating substrates 5 and the insulating base 1 are manufactured by the concave and convex fitting so that the insulating substrate 5 is in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 1, the combination of both is simple and the productivity is high. A manufacturing method of a good multidirectional input device can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a housing is removed according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operating body according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a driving body according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the operating body according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a housing according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the principal part showing the configuration and operation of the multi-directional input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the invention.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the invention.
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Insulating substrate
1a recess
1b Wall
1c space
2 First fixed contact
2a Contact part
2b Terminal section
3 Second fixed contact
3a Contact part
3b terminal
4 movable contacts
P push switch
5 Insulating substrate
5a base
5b Convex part
5c recess
6 Metal body (terminal)
7 resistors
8 Actuator
8a hole
8b Ring-shaped part
8c Leg
9 Movable contact part
10 Driving body
10a base
10b Convex part
10c hole
10d hole
11 Operation body
11a Shaft
11b Isobe
11c Convex part
12 body
12a Top plate
12b hole
12c side plate
12d Mounting piece
12e Mounting part
D Electrical parts
G axis
S Operation member
13 body
13a Insulating substrate
13b Side plate
13c Guide part
13d Spring receiving part
13e storage section
13f hole
13g recess
13h protrusion
14 Insulating substrate
14a base
14b hole
14c Convex part
14d protrusion
15a metal body
15b metal body
16 resistors
17 Rotating body
17a Engagement part
17b Shaft
17c buttock
17d Snap leg
18 Slider
19a Electrical components
19b Electrical components
20 First interlocking member
20a slit
21 Second interlocking member
21a slit
22 Operation body
22a hole
23 Stop rod
24 Top plate
24a hole
24b hole
25 First movable member
25a Bottom wall
25b recess
25c cylindrical part
25d buttock
26 Second movable member
26a bottom wall
26b Tubular part
27 Coil spring

Claims

An operation body that can be operated in multiple directions, a plurality of electrical components that are arranged around the operation body and are operated by the operation body, and an insulating base made of synthetic resin provided at a lower portion of the operation body And the electrical component has a plurality of insulating substrates made of synthetic resin with resistors provided on the surface, the plurality of insulating substrates and the insulating base being connected by an embedded metal body, and the metal A multi-directional input device in which a body is bent and the insulating substrate is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the insulating base with a surface of the resistor perpendicular to the insulating base.

Each of the insulating substrates is connected to the insulating base by a plurality of the metal bodies, the metal bodies are electrically connected to the resistor, and a bent portion of the metal body is outwardly connected from the insulating base. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the metal body is used as a terminal of the resistor.

3. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the bent portions of the metal body protruding outward from the insulating base are bent so as to overlap each other.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating substrate is arranged in a vertical state with respect to the insulating substrate in a state where the plurality of insulating substrates and the insulating substrate are engaged with each other. 5. Multi-directional input device.

A concave portion is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the insulating base, and a convex portion is provided on a side portion of the insulating substrate, and the convex portion is fitted to the concave portion to fit the concave and convex portions. Item 5. The multidirectional input device according to Item 4.

The multidirectional input device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the concave and convex fitting is performed at a central portion of one side of the insulating base, and the metal body is positioned on both sides of the concave and convex fitting.

A synthetic resin insulating substrate and a plurality of synthetic resin insulating substrates arranged around the insulating substrate are connected by a metal body made of insert-molded metal material, and an electric component is attached to the surface of the insulating substrate. After forming the resistor constituting a part of the insulating substrate, the metal body is bent, and the insulating substrate is formed so that the surface of the resistor is perpendicular to the insulating substrate at the outer periphery of the insulating substrate. A method of manufacturing a multidirectional input device, wherein the multidirectional input device is arranged.

Each of the insulating substrates is connected to the insulating base by a plurality of the metal bodies electrically connected to the resistor, and a bent portion of the metal body protrudes outward from the insulating base, so that the metal The method of manufacturing a multidirectional input device according to claim 7, wherein a body is a terminal of the resistor.

The multidirectional input device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the plurality of insulating substrates and the insulating base are concavo-convexly fitted so that the insulating substrate is in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base. Manufacturing method.